We’re launching today’s 3D Printing News Briefs with a dive into 3D printed luminescent quantum-dot polymer architectures and free-form laser beam shaping. We’re following that up with insights on an open-source 4-axis 3D printer. We then delve into programs designed for the free recycling of PLA 3D printing waste as well as digital dentistry adoption subscriptions. To wrap up, we’ll touch upon 3D printed cycling components.
3D Printing Luminescent Quantum Dots with Direct Ink Writing
We delve into a key development in the field of luminescent quantum dots. Quantum dots are nanoscale semiconductors with light-emitting properties. They have the potential to revolutionise areas such as biomedical imaging and solar cells. This is particularly true for quantum dots made from organic-inorganic perovskite materials which exhibit features such as high quantum yields and colour tunability. However, due to their sensitivity to heat and oxygen, it has been a challenge to fully realise their potential, even in 3D printing. Here, a research team led by Im Doo Jung from Korea’s Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) may have found a solution. They have created a process to 3D print perovskite quantum-dot polymer composites into complex architectures.
With the use of direct ink writing (DIW) and meticulously adjusted printing parameters, a team encapsulated prefabricated perovskite quantum dots inside a hydroxypropyl cellulose polymer matrix. This advanced the dots’ stability against heat and oxygen, while also allowing the researchers to modify the rheological properties of the ink for a smooth printing process and quick solidification afterwards to maintain their form. As shared in their paper, the team created 3D structures like the Eiffel Tower and pyramids by layering hundreds of color-emitting quantum dot-polymer ink layers, resulting in the structures maintaining their emission properties with no degradation. This highlights the protective nature of the polymer matrix, with applications potentially in optoelectronic and anti-counterfeiting devices.
Developing Free-Form Laser Beam Shaping for Bulk Metallic Glass AM
Researchers at the Swiss Advanced Manufacturing Center and Montanuniversität Leoben conducted a new study focusing on building free-form laser beam shaping for 3D printing of bulk metallic glass (BMG) alloys, which featured on the cover of Advanced Functional Materials. This method governs the glassy state (limited movement of molecules) for mechanical and structural enhancement, and could boost the efficiency of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), and further pave the way to 3D printing with other materials which aren’t currently possible with existing machines. BMGs are suitable for various applications. LPBF can fabricate large, complex BMG structures. However, the energy distribution in existing 3D printers is not ideal and can cause reheating of previously solidified layers, affecting the mechanical properties. The researchers managed to resolve these issues by adjusting the laser beam.
The Swiss Advanced Manufacturing Center stated in a LinkedIn post, “By utilizing a liquid crystal on a silicon device and modifying the laser wavefront, unrivaled flexibility in modifying laser energy density and melt pool shape during the manufacturing process is attainable. This enables manufacturing of nearly fully amorphous bulk metallic glass pieces with improved properties previously unrealizable with current state-of-the-art machines.”
Open-Source 4-Axis 3D Printer by Loughborough University Researchers
Andrew Gleadall, Senior Lecturer at Loughborough University, collaborated with two undergraduate students and partners at Duet3D to design an open-source, 4-axis 3D printer. The printer is composed of 4-6 3D printed elements and three purchased components. A comprehensive guidance document is available to assist anyone who wishes to recreate the project. The FullControlXYZ software can be used to generate multi-axis toolpaths and Gcode described in the guidance document. All resources are accessible on Github.
“This is an excellent starting point for multiaxis development…a 5-axis modification is on the horizon! Beginning with 4-axis, breaks down development obstacles and hopefully paves the way for future 5-axis slicers. There is a wealth of research that can be carried out with 4 axes that is directly relevant to 5,” Gleadall posted on LinkedIn. “While waiting for multiaxis slicers to evolve, you can use FullControlXYZ which provides multiaxis demos.”
Filamentive Recycling PLA 3D Printing Waste for Free
Each year, the 3D printing sector produces up to 400,000 kg of plastic waste, 70% of which, unfortunately, is not recycled due to factors such as high costs and inadequate recycling opportunities. Filamentive has stepped in to amend these issues with its Free PLA 3D Printing Waste Recycling Scheme, facilitating the free and easy recycling of PLA waste for its regular customers. To keep the costs of this sustainable scheme in check, Filamentive has established an expenditure threshold of £500 (excluding VAT) on eligible products. Customers spending above this threshold can avail of the PLA waste recycling services, which operate via Filamentive’s UK partner company, 3D Printing Waste (3DPW). Filamentive provides, at no additional charge, a 45L waste recycling box which, once full, is collected by 3DPW and entirely recycled, thus preventing landfill accumulation. This service is applicable to purchases made from the 1st of January, 2024 onwards.
“The majority of 3D printing waste is not recycled. We intend to rectify that. Our new recycling scheme allows our valued customers to recycle efficiently and at no charge, leading to a decrease in plastic waste and making sustainable 3D printing a feasible endeavor,” Ravi Toor, Filamentive’s Managing Director, elaborates. “Even though this requires a financial contribution from us, we perceive it as a vital investment towards securing the future of our planet.”
Desktop Health’s Digital Dentistry Adoption Program
Desktop Health has unveiled a new initiative for dentists, termed ScanUp. This makes the adoption of digital technologies more straightforward, enabling practices to enhance efficiency and patient care. Incepted in late 2022, ScanUp has already undergone a beta rollout and secured hundreds of dental members domestically, although it is only now being introduced to the wider dental market. As noted in The Journal of the American Dental Association, around 50% of American dentists have yet to adopt intra-oral scanning for a variety of reasons. Members of the 36-month ScanUp subscription program are provided with a certified pre-owned (CPO) Align iTero Element Flex scanner, and access to comprehensive digital dentistry eBooks with certified training, education, and support. Subscription expenses are offset by routine lab costs incurred when sending work samples to member dental labs; these labs, which are either owned by or associated with Desktop Health, are already serving more than 12,000 dentists in the U.S.
“ScanUp offers a practical solution to dentists who find it difficult to transition into digital dentistry. Our ScanUp program, which we’re excited to launch, aims to aid in the digital dentistry progression of general practitioner and family dentists to improve workflow efficiency and enhance patient service,” expresses Lou Azzara, President of Desktop Health and Desktop Labs.
3D Printed Hubs & Textured Rims Now Available in New Scope Artech Wheels
The Dutch wheel manufacturing company Scope Cycling recently revealed two technical advancements in their new Artech wheels made from carbon fibre: rims with textured, 3D scale designs and ultra-light 3D printed hub shells. The engineers took inspiration from the lattice structure of bones due to its superior strength to weight proportion when designing the hubs. Topology optimization techniques were applied to achieve the unique design of the hubset, which weighs a mere 205g. Scalmalloy, a light-weight scandium alloy, was utilized to print the hub shells, each printing process lasting four days. Although this duration might seem extensive, Scope prints 25 of them simultaneously. Following this, the hubs are machine-tuned to the appropriate tolerance and coated with PVD.
The pattern on the rims resembles fish scales, with bigger scales on the exterior where the air moves at a faster rate, and smaller ones closer to the hub. This design smoothes the airflow across the entire surface of the rim, reducing drag and increasing the stability of the wheel. Local reinforcement on layups around the spoke holes, instead of the entire bed, helps in weight reduction. The lacing of the wheels is done using sturdy yet lightweight Carbonlite AeroSpokes. These features, along with bladed carbon spokes, make these wheels distinctive. The Artech wheels come in two versions – Road and All Road and three depth options – 22 mm, 45 mm, and 65 mm. The MSRP stands at €3,998, with the option of an upgrade to CeramicSpeed ceramic bearings for an additional €500.
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“Why did the 3D printer go to therapy? Because it had too many layers of unresolved issues!”
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